Obituary - David Steinberg: Friend of Myanmar and Thailand

I got to know Dr David I Steinberg very well when we met in Yangon while serving as editor-in-chief of Myanmar Times in 2017.

Before that we met in Washington DC and other forums that discussed Southeast Asia politics.

He frequently visited Myanmar for his research with his friend, John Brandon from the Asia Foundation.

Together, we discussed issues affecting the lives of common people in Myanmar.

Quite often, in our conversations, we also referred to the role Thailand played in shaping the future of Myanmar.

He was no stranger to Asia, as he possessed extensive knowledge of the region, especially South Korea and Southeast Asia, especially on Myanmar.

David I Steinberg, a distinguished professor emeritus of Asian Studies at Georgetown University and a prolific writer on the political economies of Korea and Myanmar, passed away at 96 last week.

Over his career, he authored 15 books and over 150 articles, becoming a leading American expert on Burmese political economy.

His notable works include Myanmar: The Dynamics of an Evolving Polity (2015) and Burma: The State of Myanmar (2001).

In Myanmar: The Dynamics of an Evolving Polity, he focused on Myanmar within a regional context, including comparisons with neighbors like Thailand and Cambodia.

Steinberg’s essays often highlighted contrasts between Thailand’s monarchy-supported stability and Myanmar's military-ruled chaos.

In his numerous essays, he also provided comparative analyses focusing on Thailand’s role as a US ally in Southeast Asia during periods of regional upheaval.

Before joining academia, Steinberg served 16 years in the US Senior Foreign Service, notably with USAID, where he focused on technical assistance and regional affairs in Asia, the Near East, and South Asia.

He also worked with The Asia Foundation and was a visiting scholar at Johns Hopkins University.

Educated at Dartmouth College, Lingnan University, Harvard, and SOAS, Steinberg's interest in Asia began in high school and deepened during his time as an exchange student in China amid the communist revolution.

His career spanned academia, public service, and nonprofit work, earning him recognition and awards, including an honorary doctorate from Sungkyunkwan University.

Steinberg lived for over 17 years in Asia, conducting fieldwork across the region and contributing extensively to organizations like The Asia Foundation, the Korea Economic Institute, and the Burma Studies Foundation.

He is survived by his wife, Anne Myongsook Lee, and their two children. A memorial service will be announced.

I recalled the last time we met at a major hotel in Yangon in the fall of 2017. He asked me about the Thai government’s treatment of refugees from Myanmar under Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. He said it was time to recognize their contributions to Thai society.

Recently, the current Thai government has announced plans to grant residential status to more than 400,000 immigrants, including Myanmar refugees, especially those who have been living in border camps for over the past three decades.